In order to prepare for the arrival of autonomous navigation, the Port of Rotterdam has converted a patrol vessel into a floating lab that collects data, including about the vessel’s operation and power.
These data will enable further research for the introduction of autonomous navigation and the Port of Rotterdam. The first partnership for data exchange from the floating lab has now been signed with Captain AI. They are adding artificial intelligence to the data, enabling computers to be trained as artificial captains to navigate independently through the port.
[smlsubform prepend=”GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!” showname=false emailtxt=”” emailholder=”Enter your email address” showsubmit=true submittxt=”Submit” jsthanks=false thankyou=”Thank you for subscribing to our mailing list”]
In addition, the Port has equipped a former patrol vessel (RPA3), the so-called floating lab, with cameras, sensors and measurement equipment. In this way data can be obtained about weather and water conditions and about the vessel’s operation, power and engine.
The floating lab will also test other applications. The use of cameras will be tested, for example for automatic inspection of quay walls or detection of objects in the water. By combining sensors on the water with land-based sensors, a network and smart infrastructure can be created.
Ronald Paul, Port of Rotterdam Authority COO, commented:
We expect the arrival of autonomous navigation to further increase the safety and accessibility of the Port of Rotterdam and, moreover, it will be an effective aid for skippers and shipping traffic controllers.
